Disguised as the Devil

Book excerpt: This work began as a history of Lyme disease. Looking in the historical records for places where this disease in now endemic, the author noted that witch afflicitions kept appearing in these same spots. What unfolds is a journey of discovery, looking back, into the forested and deforested landscapes of Europe America's past that were abound with acorns, deer, pigs, along with human societies creating cultural practices that had environmental ramifications. Drawing upon the latest in scientific and historical research, this study will become essential reading for those interested in controversies surrounding this "disease in disguise." It also explores the etiology of the witch and tells a compelling tale about the timeless importance of the interaction between humanity and the "invisible world" of bacteria. -- Provided by publisher.